After seeing the reports on TV and in the newspaper, I cannot believe that there have been no previous letters in the Times concerning a federal health policy group’s suggestion that most women should put off having a mammogram until they are 50 years old.

My daughter had breast cancer which led to the removal of both her
breasts. This all occurred before her 40th birthday, and if it were not
for an early mammogram, perhaps she would not be with us today.

No matter what degrees the doctors on the panel hold and how respected
these medical organizations are, no one will convince me that putting
off these tests is the “safe” way to go. I feel the health insurance
companies are behind these recommendations to delay mammograms, mainly
because they have so much influence over the entire medical profession.

I’m sure there are many doctors who agree with me.

It is just common sense to follow the existing guidelines (which call
for yearly mammograms starting at age 40) and to have a little peace of
mind that the little bump a woman might feel during a self-examinations
is not cancer.

The new recommendations, if widely adopted, will save the health
insurance companies millions of dollars. Now they also want to put off
pap smears (to detect cervical cancer). Wow!

I have a feeling — and it’s just my feeling — that somehow these
recommendations are linked to the health care bill soon to be debated
by the full U.S. Senate, because sponsors know that covering everyone
for everything is not what they really want. (Fewer women’s health
tests) could reduce the costs of this reform plan.

But ladies, please fight to keep coverage for these two most important
tests for younger women. Do not let it be, “Oh, my neighbor will help
fight the changes; I’m too busy.”